Easy Instant Pot Crack Chicken Recipe
This Easy Instant Pot Crack Chicken recipe is a flavorful and cheesy chicken dish cooked under pressure for tenderness and combined with crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and a ranch seasoning blend. Perfect for a quick and delicious meal served on hamburger buns with fresh green onions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 10 slices bacon (cooked)
- 2.5 lbs chicken breast (boneless and skinless)
- 1 (8 oz) cream cheese package (cubed)
- 8 oz cheddar cheese (shredded)
Seasonings and Broth
- 1 oz Ranch dressing dry seasoning mix
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 3/4 cup chicken broth (or water)
Bread and Garnish
- 6 hamburger buns
- Chopped green onions
Instructions
- Cook Bacon: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a rack in the lower third of the oven. Lay the bacon slices in a single layer on the baking sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until deep golden-brown and crispy. Check around 12 minutes to monitor doneness. Remove from oven and set aside.
- Add Chicken and Ingredients to Instant Pot: Place the boneless skinless chicken breasts and cubed cream cheese into the Instant Pot. Sprinkle the ranch dressing dry seasoning mix, minced garlic, paprika, and onion powder over the chicken. Pour in the chicken broth.
- Pressure Cook: Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then carefully release any remaining pressure manually before opening the lid.
- Shred Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken breasts from the Instant Pot and transfer to a large bowl or chopping board. Using two forks, shred the chicken finely.
- Make Cheese Sauce: Switch the Instant Pot to Sauté mode and whisk the cream cheese mixture left in the pot until smooth and well combined.
- Add Cheddar Cheese: Stir in shredded cheddar cheese and mix until melted and incorporated into the sauce.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Turn off the Instant Pot and add the shredded chicken back into the cheese sauce. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
- Mix in Bacon: Stir in crispy bacon pieces if desired. Serve the crack chicken warm on hamburger buns and garnish with extra bacon, cheese, and chopped green onions.
Notes
- You can use precooked bacon or cook fresh bacon as described in the steps.
- Adjust ranch seasoning amount to your taste preference.
- Use chicken broth or water to add moisture during pressure cooking.
- Natural pressure release helps keep chicken moist and tender.
- Leftovers store well and can be reheated in the Instant Pot or on stovetop.
Keywords: Instant Pot Crack Chicken, creamy chicken, ranch chicken, cheesy chicken, bacon chicken, easy Instant Pot recipe
